Could that "native Texan" line have been an oblique -- maybe, subliminal -- reference to the fact that Dewhurst's opponent in the July 31 Senate GOP runoff is Ted Cruz, who was born in Calgary, Alberta? (To Houston residents who were running an oil-drilling seismic data firm up there?)

If endorsements sway anyone, you have to say Dewhurst has had a good week: Nolan Ryan, Tom Leppert, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson.

However, Cruz may have gotten more oomph out of radio talk-show host Glenn Beck's fawning comment to Cruz, who appeared on Beck's show this week:

“This race is probably the biggest sign of the tea party’s power and the freedom movement and if Texas can’t do it, nobody can do it,” Beck said. A snippet of the audio can be heard here.